Thanks to an outdated California law, our state’s children have some of the highest levels of toxic flame retardants in their bodies in the world. Toddlers often have three times the level of flame retardant chemicals in their bodies as their parents, and California children have some of the highest levels of toxic flame retardants in their bodies in the world.

Studies have linked exposure to these chemicals to increased risk of cancer, neurological deficits, developmental problems and impaired fertility. As we now know, thanks to an investigative series by the Chicago Tribune, the chemical industry has used deceptive tactics, money, and phony paid “experts” to testify in legislative hearings and perpetuate the lie that these chemicals are somehow necessary to protect the public.

Join the California League of Conservation Voters and other advocates for Californians' health and environment in asking Governor Brown to follow through with proposed changes to the archaic regulations that encourage the use of highly toxic chemicals in furniture, baby products and other consumer products in the name of fire safety. The pervasive use of these chemicals has never been proven to save lives, has made home fires more dangerous for victims and firefighters, and has put millions of people who will never encounter a fire in their home at risk -- particularly young children.

Sign the petition now. Tell Gov. Brown to stand up to the chemical industry today.

Letter to

Governor Jerry Brown

We urge California Governor Jerry Brown to stand up to the chemical industry and stop the use of toxic flame retardants chemicals in consumer products.

This past June, Governor Brown directed state agencies to review the state’s four-decade-old flammability standards and recommend changes to reduce toxic flame retardants while continuing to ensure fire safety. We thank the Brown administration for taking these important steps to protect public health and safety, and we applaud his public acknowledgement that California must find better ways to meet fire safety standards by reducing and eliminating dangerous chemicals.

Yet, more must be done to stop toxins from polluting our homes, our bodies, and, especially, our children. California children have some of the highest levels of toxic flame retardants in their bodies in the world. Toddlers often have three times the level of flame retardant chemicals in their bodies as their parents, and California children have some of the highest levels of toxic flame retardants in their bodies in the world. Studies have linked exposure to these chemicals to increased risk of cancer, neurological deficits, developmental problems and impaired fertility.

Gov. Brown must continue the momentum on getting rid of toxic flame retardants in our consumer products. We urge him to take the next steps to replace archaic regulations that encourage the use of highly toxic chemicals in furniture, baby products and other consumer products in the name of fire safety. The pervasive use of these chemicals has never been proven to save lives, has made home fires more dangerous for victims and firefighters, and has put millions of people who will never encounter a fire in their home at risk -- particularly young children. It’s time for decisive action to stop the pervasive use of flame retardant chemicals.

We ask Gov. Brown to stand up to the chemical industry and make California a national leader in toxin-free homes, schools, and workplaces.